Farmington Scouts Earn Eagle

Posted by EDMUND SANFORD, Community Contributor

Posted by EDMUND SANFORD, Community Contributor

Community Contributor EDMUND SANFORD

Farmington, Connecticut (March 27, 2015) - On Friday, March 27, Will Sanford and Spencer Pelham, members of Boy Scout Troop 68, received their Eagle Scout designations at a Court of Honor conducted at The Porter Memorial at the First Church of Christ, 1652, in Farmington.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program. Since the first Boy Scout earned his Eagle award in 1912, the distinction has been earned by more than two million young men. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating ideals of service and leadership, including organizing and leading an extensive service project. Fewer than seven percent of Boy Scouts nationwide attain this illustrious rank.

Both Will and Spencer have been actively involved in scouting for over eight years. During that time both have camped over 100 nights, volunteered many hours for a numerous service projects, attended the Boy Scouts National Youth Leadership Training and served their Troop as Senior Patrol Leader. Both have been elected to the Boy Scouts Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow and earned the Troop 68's Mountain Man Award for hiking the tallest peak in each of the New England States. With their troop they have traveled to the Bahamas for a week of sailing and to Alaska for ten days of wilderness adventures. Will also traveled to the 2013 Boy Scouts National Jamboree in West Virginia.

Will, 18, is the son of Ted and Liz Sanford. His Eagle Service Project included the construction of two trail kiosks, trail work and the creation of a trail map in the Farmington Memorial Town Forest. He is a Dean's List student at Avon Old Farms School and next fall plans to attend St Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Will's grandfather, Robert W. Sanford was also an Eagle Scout in Troop 68.

Spencer, 18, is the son of Doug and Teresa Pelham. His Eagle Service Project included the creation of a permanent orienteering course and course guide in the Farmington Memorial Town Forest. He is a senior Honor Role student at Watkinson School and after a gap year he plans to attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The Farmington Memorial Town Forest was established in 1926 as a memorial to the men and women who served in the First World War. The forest consists of 266 acres between Red Oak Hill Road and Plainville Ave (RT 177). The Forest is owned by the Town of Farmington and is open to passive uses such as hiking and bird watching, with no hunting, fires or vehicles allowed.

Founded in 1919, Troop 68 is Farmington's oldest Boy Scout Troop. Boys aged 12 through 17 interested in the fun, adventure and service opportunities offered by Scouting can contact Troop 68 for more information through the troop's Web site at troop68farmington.scoutlander.com.

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